You’ve probably heard from Filipino “Squid Game” fans–or noticed it yourself–that Player 456 in the series looks a lot like “Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited” Big Winner Slater Young. He said that he keeps getting tagged in posts about it and that even his wife Kryz Uy told him he looks like Lee Jung Jae’s character. Slater also posted a video entitled “Engineer Reacts To Squid Game,” where he compares the games to tasks he encountered in PBB!
While Slater didn’t actually star in “Squid Game,” a Filipino actor named Christian Lagahit did appear in the series as Player 276. Christian works as an English teacher and actor, and has made appearances in other Korean shows including “Space Sweepers,” “Crash Landing On You,” and “My ID is Gangnam Beauty.” Aside from Christian, did you know that another Pinoy actor almost became a part of the “Squid Game” cast, too?
Player 199
Carlo Aquino shared on Instagram that the note he received last year from Hwang Dong Hyuk, the director of “Squid Game,” was for a role in the hit Korean series! “This was supposedly a role for ‘Squid Game,’” Carlo said.
In June 2020, the Kapamilya actor shared that he received a card from Hwang Dong Hyuk that read, “Dear Carlo, Thank you for your efforts. Looking forward to working with you in the near future. Take care!”
Carlo captioned his post: “A handwritten note from a brilliant director. Wooop! Couldn’t be more excited to work with you guys once this pandemic is over.”
Beatrice Candaza, the sister of Carlo’s girlfriend, Trina Candaza, explained what happened.
“[Carlo] was supposed to play a role in ‘Squid Game’ but travel restrictions happened. I remember Trina calling me and saying that they’ll stay in Korea for a few months back in 2020,” she said. “I’m sure there would be more opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Trina hinted at the role Carlo almost played in the series. “I’m still proud of you, [Carlo!] Isipin ko na lang ikaw si Ali,” she said.
Although Carlo did not become a part of the cast, he’s been keeping busy with other projects, including “La Vida Lena,” where he stars alongside Erich Gonzales, JC de Vera, Kit Thompson, and Sofia Andres. He also has an upcoming film entitled “Seasons,” his first movie with Lovi Poe.
Art Daniella Sison
